E-Book Revenue Increased for the First Time in Two Years

Monthly ebook revenue increased for the first time in two years. Revenues for book publishers were up by $50.7 million (4.6%) in May 2017 over May 2016. Downloaded audio had another strong month, up 43.4% in May 2017 vs. May 2016 and 32.5% from Jan. – May 2017 vs. the same five months in 2016. Revenue for print books was also up this May, with growth in hardback, paperback, mass market and board books. Year-to-date, hardback and board books had revenue gains. While eBooks saw growth in May, the overall format remains down year-to-date.

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Washington, DC; Sept. 28, 2017 – eBook revenues for trade book publishers were up 2.4% in May 2017. The growth was attributed to increased eBook sales for Adult Books, up 3.4% over May 2016. This is the first monthly increase over prior year sales since March 2015, according to the StatShot Monthly report from the Association of American Publishers (AAP).

The increase in eBook sales was one element of a growth month for book publishers. Revenues for book publishers were up by $50.7 million (4.6%) in May 2017 over May 2016. Revenues from Jan. – May 2017 were $4.25 billion, gaining $175.7 million (4.3%) compared to the same timeframe in 2016.

With the exception of Professional Books, all reported categories saw sales increases for the month. The categories with the greatest growth in May were Childrens & Young Adult Books (11.8%) and University Presses (7.3%). With these and other gains, no categories are reporting revenue loss year-to-date.

Revenue for Trade Books was up 5.0% in May 2017 compared to last May, with gains in Adult Books, Childrens/YA Books and Religious Presses. For the year-to-date vs the same time in 2016, revenues for trade books increased by $36 million (1.4%) to reach $2.64 billion.

Total Trade Net Revenue by Category (in millions)*

Jan. – May 2017

Jan. – May 2016

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$1,806.9

$1,778.0

+1.6%

Children’s/YA

$670.5

$670.2

0.0%

Religious Presses

$165.5

$159.0

+4.1%

Total Trade

$2,642.9

$2,607.2

+1.4%

Trade Book Formats

Downloaded audio had another strong month, up 43.4% in May 2017 vs. May 2016 and 32.5% from Jan. – May 2017 vs. the same five months in 2016. Revenue for print books was also up this May, with growth in hardback, paperback, mass market and board books. Year-to-date, hardback and board books had revenue gains. While eBooks saw growth in May, the overall format remains down year-to-date.

Total Trade Net Revenue by Format (in millions)*

Jan. – May 2017

Jan. – May 2016

Percent Change

eBooks

$466.1

$482.1

-3.3%

Hardback

$901.9

$845.1

+6.7%

Paperback & Mass Market

$1,008.3

$1,049.7

-3.9%

Downloaded Audio

$129.9

$98.1

+32.5%

Other (physical audio, board book)

$136.7

$132.3

+3.3%

Education and Scholarly Publishing

Higher Education and PreK-12 publishers saw revenue growth during May, up 3.1% and 5.5% respectively compared to the prior year. Revenue in both categories was also up year-to-date, growing 22.6% and 1.8% respectively.

Professional Books was the only category to see a decline in May, down 1.9% compared to May 2016. However, year-to-date revenues remain up by 2.7%. University Press revenues were up 0.9% compared to the first five months of 2016.

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) represents more than 300 book and journal publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy. Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

Michael Kozlowski is the Editor in Chief of Good e-Reader. He has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past ten years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and Verge.